Up in Smoke: Michigan Hoops Star Declares for NBA Draft After NCAA Pot Suspension Kills Season

Bill Walton smoked it. So did Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

So although Michigan Wolverines center Mitch McGary’s marijuana enthusiasm may put him in good company among all-time great college big men it doesn’t keep him in good standing with the NCAA. After failing a March urinalysis that would have kept him off the college court all next season, McGary has declared for the NBA Draft.

The six-foot-ten big man averaged 9.5 points and 8.3 rebounds for Michigan this season after helping to lead the Wolverines to the NCAA title game last year. Back surgery after his freshman season and the failed drug test may hurt his stock among NBA GMs.

Though the NCAA recently softened its penalty for recreational drug use from a full season to a half of one, McGary tested positive on the NCAA urinalysis–after passing eight administered by Michigan–so he does not benefit from the new leniency. Though he doesn’t agree with the punishment, McGary conceded to Yahoo Sports: “I messed up.”

“The NCAA really doesn’t show any mercy,” McGary told Yahoo Sports. “Even if I was a good kid with good character. They don’t really care about that. They don’t care about the program, the university. If you tested positive, there are consequences.”